Jasper County Democrat, Volume 4, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 August 1901 — Oklahoma Letter. [ARTICLE]

Oklahoma Letter.

Under date of August 12, Henry Farmer writes J. A. McFarland of this city, an interesting letter from which we are permitted to publish the following extracts: Lawton, O. K., Aug. 12. Mr. McFarland: I told you when I came away that I would let you know what I thought of the prospects here. I came to Yukon one month ago today and stayed but a few hours. Worth was working in Elreno on the registration papers and had to be on hand at midnight Sunday night to commence. I went with him and we worked night and day, only getting an occasional nap between trains. We wete glad when it w’as over. The next week I spent riding on horseback over the new country. During the two weeks of sleepless toil and one of horseback-riding, I gained five pounds. Thus I thrived on exertion and exposure that would have exhausted me there. I have enquired and listened to conversations of old residents and Indians, until I am almost acquainted with the territory, and I believe it has a future in store for it that will be unsurpased. The soil is not all good for grain, but all produces splendid grass. There is much more rainfall here than in Kansas and more in the south end of the Territory than in the north. We have had several showers here at Lawton since I came and there has l>een a rain each day in the mountains, since we came and we have gotten the edge of each one of ilium, although much of the time it has dried as fast as it fell. The air is pure and bracing and in spite of my sleeping on the ground rolled in my blanket for two weeks, I feel more refreshed in the mornings than I did in Indiana.

There are three towns that are good, Hobart, Annedasko and Lawton. I think that Lawton will be the best, in fact, I know that it will, unless they get lots of gold in the other end of the mountains, in that ease, however, Hobart will be the best. As to the business outlook, it is good. Lots sold here yesterday for $1,805. They were 25x50, without a stick or mark upon them except the stakes at the corners. The average price is at present $397.50 for all lots sold, but I think it is simply the enthusiasts getting picked up, for they do not know yet where the Rock Island depot is going to One month ago there was nothing here but the surveyor’s camp; now there is a town of between 20,000 and 30,000 people, all living in tents and representing all the trades and professions. Many of the towns in old Oklahoma are now composed of wealthy men that sthrted on stocks of from $lO to SSOO. This is a great country for groceries and hardware, not so much for dry goods. We are in the law and locating business here but have not done very much business yet, but expect to get started soon. .lust at present wo keep our guns in easy reach all the time, but that will soon be over. The ‘'thugs” hero are from Chicago and Now York and what o' them escai>eß will soon leave 1 think that good lots can be bought soon for less than SIOO. Some lots sold Monday and Tuesday for $35 to $75, that changed hands yesterday for $350 to S4OO. I must stop writing and answer some of the many questions. If we did business with everyone that stops to enquire, we could start a bank to-morrow.

Yours Respectfully,

HENRY P. FARMER.

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